Verlander won't pitch in WBC

Lakeland, FL (Sports Network) - Team USA will not have arguably its best
pitcher for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, as Detroit Tigers ace Justin
Verlander has announced that he will decline an invitation to participate in
the event.

Verlander told reporters of his intention to skip the WBC upon arriving to
Detroit's spring training complex on Monday. The 2011 American League MVP and
Cy Young Award winner said he didn't think his arm would be ready for
competitive action by the time the United States begins play in early March.

"I don't want to have to feel rushed to catch up to where I need to be," he
stated.

Verlander is coming off a campaign in which he threw a total of 266 innings
between the regular season and playoffs. Because of that heavy workload, he
said he began his offseason throwing program later that usual to allow his arm
time to rest.

The standout right-hander had been on Team USA's provisional roster announced
in January.

Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez was added to Team USA's roster over the weekend
and still has an open spot for a pitcher after Atlanta's Kris Medlen recently
pulled out.